Title: Opened Up
Author: Eva Moore
Series: Exposed Dreams #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

This is a great, fun and sweet contemporary romance. I mean, it’s pretty easy and kind of obvious how it will all turn out. But it’s still a fun adventure. The fact that Sophia and Adrian have been seriously and ridiculously attracted to each other since they were kids just helps to add to the fun nature of this story. There’s a history, but not one that is filled with angst. Which gives the past of knowing one another, without anything to make up for.

Sophia’s constant struggles to strike out on her own and be appreciated by her father drive this story spectacularly. That, partnered with her own insecurities help to show just how much getting in one’s own head can mess with you. Plus, quite frankly, her father is a total knob. I mean, willingly leaving your daughter in a dead end position and taking advantage of her? Purposely throwing a spanner in the works of her relationship? All ridiculously entitled and horrible actions. I love that Sophia is able to overcome this nonsense and find her own happily ever after.

I love how this is a story not just about romance and family romance. But also how three siblings (and their parents) work towards surviving their older brother’s death. Certainly, many of the issues that Sophia struggles to overcome are built around the compromises the family made to deal with this death. And, once Sophia finds her own two feet, it’ll be interesting in the future books to see how her remaining two siblings are able to negotiate the same difficulties.

I love that, alongside Sophia trying to forge her own reality and life, Adrian is actually trying to do the same thing. He’s a little bit less flexible and giving to others than Sophia. But, it’s still nice that both characters are trying to find a way to be better and create a life that they can be proud of. When it all comes together at the end of this story, it’s nice to know that they do succeed. Having said that, Adrian’s narrow-mindedness in his pursuit makes him incredibly callous and kind of cruel in moments.

This was a great romance, not just about how to build a future life together, but also how to encompass your own goals in this. Plus, there are some incredibly insane family dynamics throughout this story. Ones that were very fun to negotiate. And made me grateful for my own dysfunctional clan…

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Image source: Amazon